Staff

David HiltnerExecutive Director

In the summer of 2005 David & Maggy Hiltner moved to Red Lodge, Montana to establish the Red Lodge Clay Center. Prior to moving to Red Lodge David was an Assistant Professor of Ceramics at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas. Before joining the faculty at Wichita State University in 1999, he taught at Syracuse University, Northwest College in Wyoming, and at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. David received his B.F.A. in Ceramics from Wichita State University in 1993 and completed his M.F.A at Syracuse University in 1997.

Jill has been actively involved in the clay world, diligently working to have a positive impact on our field. Moving to Red Lodge from Carbondale, Colorado, Jill recently worked as a studio artist and as an Educator at the Aspen Art Museum. She currently serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). Jill earned her MFA from the Rochester Institute of Technology School for American Crafts, and her BA from Hamilton College. She has been a resident artist at numerous art institutions, notably the Anderson Ranch, the Archie Bray Foundation, and Arrowmont School for Arts and Crafts. While in her studio Jill focuses on creating minimal, architectural ceramic sculptures that have been widely exhibited throughout the United States, as well as sharing her passion of ceramics through conversation with anyone and everyone who will listen. Past employment includes work as the Executive Director of the Carbondale Clay Center, the Executive Director of the Clay Studio of Missoula, the Programs and Administration Director at the Archie Bray Foundation, and the Studio Manager of the ceramics program at the Anderson Ranch Art Center.

Sean O’ConnellPrograms Coordinator

RLCC’s Program’s Coordinator is responsible for organizing and managing our Artist-In-Residency and Education programming as well as Communications, including social media, press/publishing, and general communication with the public and visiting artists.

Sean has been involved in the arts & crafts since an early experience apprenticing with silversmiths in his hometown of Fayetteville, AR. He attended college at the Kansas City Art Institute, and upon completing his BFA in Sculpture, became interested in making functional pottery. After several years working as an instructor in community art centers, Sean pursued his MFA in Ceramics at the School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology. After completing his degree, Sean was the 2009 Salad Day’s Artist-in-Residence at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, ME and between 2011 – 2013 completed a two year Fellowship at the Archie Bray Foundation in Helena, MT. Sean has taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Alberta College of Art + Design, SUNY Brockport, and several other schools in upstate NY. Sean exhibits his work nationally and regularly gives workshops and lectures throughout North America.

Pete ScherzerFacilities Coordinator

RLCC’s Facilities Coordinator manages the logistics and daily operations of the Clay Center’s buildings and equipment. In addition, they oversee and manage RLCC’s Clay Business, including ordering and maintaining inventory as well as handling customer orders and freight shipments.

Pete Scherzer grew up in Ohio and Montana. He studied ceramics at the Cleveland Institute of Art and Alfred University. He was resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation from 1999 until 2001, and was resident artist at Watson Arts Centre in Canberra, Australia in 2018. He has worked at Princeton University, Alfred University, Peters Valley Craft Center, Cleveland Institute of Art, and Northern Clay Center. He was a lecturer in the Ceramics department at the University of Hawaii at Manoa from 2014 until 2019. His work is represented by Charlie Cummings Gallery and The Clay Studio in Philadelphia.